I snatched the bags from his arms and flounced out of the room. “You need to learn to talk to a woman properly.”
“Wait a second,” he bellowed, jerking my arm and causing some of the cash to fall on the floor. “We’re not walking outside with an armload of drugs and money. Let me get a trash bag or something. We’ll put it in the trunk and head back. Lexi took Lynn and Maizy to a hotel tonight in case we found something, and Austin needed to work out a plan. They don’t suspect anything because Lynn has a getaway vacation every so often. Austin got the idea so in case we ever needed them out of the house for a night, they wouldn’t freak out.”
“I just hope Austin knows how to get in touch with Delgado.”
A fiendish look of amusement appeared on his face. “Maybe we should leave a note: Found drugs and money. Call this number. Hugs and kisses—the guy who killed your henchman.”
Chapter 22
Jericho regained inner balance after his wolf had taken over for the entire day. The events of the previous night with Isabelle killing a man had left him rattled. The last thing he remembered was shifting and nuzzling against Isabelle’s white wolf as they slept beneath the stars. When he finally shifted back, the sun bronzed the western sky and painted the treetops with gold as it dipped below the horizon in search of night.
He walked inside naked and pulled on a pair of jeans, listening to Denver make a few wisecracks in a cartoonish voice about him hunting rabbits. The mood among the pack was somber, and he found out later that Austin had sent Wheeler to search for the drugs with Isabelle. He hoped going back to the house wasn’t too traumatic, but maybe it would help her put those demons to bed.
Jericho’s band had made plans weeks ago to write up some new music, and Austin didn’t look thrilled when they swung by and trickled upstairs to the game room. It usually went on all night while they sat around, drank beer, scribbled down lyrics, and tested out new sounds. As a collaborative effort, it was important each member participated. This was Trevor’s first session, and he was nervous the boys wouldn’t like his style of music and ideas. But fresh blood always gave them a new vibe.
Jericho was waiting in the game room when they walked in, and Joker and Ren showed up with a few female companions. Jericho wasn’t cool with the distraction, but he didn’t want to be rude and throw them out. Joker had his drumsticks tucked in his back pocket, and Ren’s guitar was slung over his arm in a case.
“They wanted to tag along and be our muses,” Joker said nonchalantly, strutting in the door.
Three girls followed behind, eyes wide as they nibbled on their lips.
Humans.
Joker preferred humans for the obvious reason that he was one. Shifter women always had their sights on Jericho, leaving the rest of the guys in the dust. Human women didn’t really care who they hooked up with, so Joker always had a fair shot. Ren was young, but the kid had game.
“What’s wrong, man?” Jericho asked when Trevor eased up beside him, his hands in his pockets.
“You know,” he whispered.
Trevor wasn’t shy by any means, but he didn’t like intimate situations where he might end up having to explain he was gay.
“Just show ’em how cool you are,” Jericho said. “Make them wish they could hook up with you. That drives ’em wild. Do you think I used to hook up with every single hottie who rubbed up against me? They want you even more when you’re aloof. Be aloof.”
“Aloof,” Trevor repeated as a mantra.
Jericho plucked a cigarette from a pack on the bar and tucked it behind his ear. “Where did Reno and April head off to?”
Trevor laughed quietly and shook a few strands of hair out of his eyes. “They had some elaborate date planned. He took her to a concert, and afterward they’re staying at the Four Seasons and getting their nasty on. She packed lube; I’m kind of freaked out.”
“More than I needed to know,” Jericho said as they swaggered across the game room.
“Gina, Tina, and shit… what’s your name?” Joker asked as he stumbled through introductions.
The blonde leaned over the pool table, and it made Jericho’s body go stiff. He turned his eyes away and headed to the bar to light up his smoke.
“It’s Ebony,” she said, her tone snippy.
A girl with a low-cut top and a silver pendant tucked between her breasts took a seat beside Jericho. “So you’re the famous Jericho. I’ve seen you play—you’re hot onstage.”
He lit up his smoke and took a deep drag, deciding he had a fifty-fifty shot at getting her name right. “It’s just a job, Tina.”
“Gina.”
“Right.”